Spotlight Business of the Month...

Grocery Kart enjoys long life in community

By Katie Collins Brush News-Tribune Staff Writer

Posted:
01/15/2013 04:00:00 PM MST

Brush Grocery Kart manager, part-owner and jack-of-all-trades John Sweenie takes time from a hectic morning schedule to pose before a 20th-anniversary celebration poster created for the store in 2012. (Katie Collins/News-Tribune)

After ringing in the year 2012 with a 20-year anniversary extravaganza that saw steals, deals and soirees abound for customers, employees at the Brush Grocery Kart are gearing up for a great 2013 with plans to continue the store’s home-grown tradition of providing unwavering support to the Brush community, schools and chamber. Twenty-plus years as a family-friendly based grocer has certainly given the Brush Grocery Kart a reason to celebrate with pride and in 2012 the store, along with manager and part-owners John and Sheila Sweenie, cooked up some fantastic ideas to give back to the community including a hilarious “End-of-the-World” Sale held on the eve of what the Mayans predicted would usher in an end to mankind. The very next day, when no world-shattering event seemed likely, the business promptly issued a “The World Did Not End” grand re-opening sale that helped customers throughout the area feel a little lighter in mood. Since 1992 the Brush Grocery Kart has humbly served the Brush community with grace and a unique sense of purpose and humor, but before moving to its present location at 1302 Edison Street, the local grocer had a home base located just across the street where C&C and the Family Dollar now stand. In November of 1992 the store was purchased from Surefine Markets and in August of 1993 current part-owners John Sweenie and wife Sheila joined those partners by buying into the entity themselves.

Advertisement

In January of 1997, ground was broken on the building of the Brush Grocery Kart’s current location which officially opened to the public in July of that year. The store’s size was tripled and nearly quadrupled during that time and entities such as the Liquor Kart and B&B Pharmacy were also opened within the walls of the building in August of 1997. As an additional bonus feature of the many services provided there, the Brush Grocery Kart also added gas pumps to their arsenal in July of 2003.With a wealth of remodeling that took place in 2009 and 2010, new lighting, painting, floors and refrigeration helped create the locale as a staple place to shop within Brush. Just as the store itself has enjoyed a long and fruitful life, so too have employees there, some of whom had been there even before jack-of-all-trades John Sweenie. Twenty-year employees of the Brush Grocery Kart who deserve recognition for their work and dedication include secretary Marilyn Wetzbarger, former produce manager and part-time checker Jeanne Sailor, head checker and manager Julie Molina, back room manager David Patzkowsky and of course, John and Sheila Sweenie.Fifteen-year employees who’ve helped shaped the nature of the grocer include Liquor Kart manager Kandace Erickson and Maria Vasquez who has her hands in many portions of the operation including with the deli and with janitorial aid. With a total of nearly 50 employees under its roof and a strong commitment to helping the local community, the Brush Grocery Kart enters a prosperous new year of sales, giving access to its many services to people throughout the area with their website at www.brushkart.com where consumers can access coupons, advertisements, recipe ideas and more. Look for the Brush Grocery Kart inserts included in the local Brush News-Tribune, give them a call at (970) 842-2622 or stop by their location at 1302 Edison to find out more about the business.Weekly deals and specials can also be accessed by finding the Brush Grocery Kart on facebook.